Reflections on My Summer Visits to Ramah: Ruach Across a Continent

This summer, I had the profound privilege of visiting all nine of our overnight Ramah camps, and Ramah Day Camp in Nyack—an experience that carried me from the lakes of Canada, Wisconsin, Poconos, Berkshires, and Palmer to the peaks of the Rockies, from the heart of the South to the shores of California, and back home again to the Ojai Valley, where I worked for eighteen years. It was a summer of movement, but also, in a deeper sense, a summer of stillness: the chance to slow down and simply witness the Ramah ruach (spirit) as it lives and breathes in each of its distinct communities.

NRC WebmasterAugust 18, 2026Nyack, Canada, Wisconsin, JTS, California

Gratitude and Hope, From Tikvah to the Sea

Whether we are gathered along the rocky cliffs of the Pacific or sitting together in a makom tefillah, these moments remind us of what makes Ramah so extraordinary. Seeing our campers embrace gratitude, build deep connections, and find joy in the world around them fills us with immense hope. As we cling to the last weeks of summer, we carry these blessings with us—thankful for the vibrant, inclusive communities we have built together.

NRC WebmasterJuly 31, 2026Tikvah, Canada, Galim

The Blessings of White Shirts—And New Beginnings

The blessings of white shirts not yet muddied, stained, or wrinkled; fresh haircuts; and lost-and-found bins that are not overflowing. Another summer begins. Many of our camps have welcomed their first campers, who are experiencing the joy of coming home. We feel profound gratitude as we watch our communities open their gates each summer. Our early stops have included Ramah Darom, Ramah Wisconsin, and the Chicagoland Day Camp, as well as staff week at Ramah Canada.

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterJune 23, 2026Chicago Day Camp, Darom, Canada, Wisconsin

The Sounds of Summer, the Strength of Community

Our visits this week have taken us to Ramah Canada, Berkshires, New England, and the Boston day camp. Shlichim and Israeli campers who arrived late are now settling in, and our camps have the mid-July feel that we joyfully anticipate each year: exuberant children (some already in need of hair cuts!), sticky humidity (when we are all in need of ice cream!), tzevet who have become masterful counselors—spirited shira, rikud, tefillot, maccabiahs and zimriyahs. As friends of Ramah, we all know firsthand the sounds of July: they are our favorite sounds.

NRC WebmasterJuly 11, 2025Canada, Berkshires, Ramah Day Camp Greater Boston, New England

Zigzagging Across North America

"During the past six weeks, I have zigzagged across North America visiting the 15 Ramah overnight and day camps on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. It has been an extraordinary adventure and I am in awe of the work my colleagues and their staff are doing. " - Reflections from Amy Skopp Cooper, CEO, National Ramah Commission

Nutritious Meals at Camp Promote Activity, Healthy Living

Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell, director of Ramah Canada, said, “As a parent and camp director, I’m aware of how important it is to feed my kids well and how what they eat impacts their behavior, attitude and energy level. So, it’s important to apply that same sensibility to life at camp.”

Ramah in the NewsNancy ScheffMarch 2, 2020Canada

4 Ramah Camps Selected as First-Ever “Yedid Nefesh” Grant Recipients

Ramah California, Ramah Canada, Ramah Nyack, and Ramah in the Rockies are among the 32 recipients of the Foundation for Jewish Camp's Yedid Nefesh Grant, designed to help camps address the mental, emotional, and social health (MESH) needs of both campers and staff.

AnnouncementsNancy ScheffJanuary 16, 2020FJC, California, Canada, Nyack, Rockies

Ramah Canada to Introduce STEAM Program

Campers attending Ramah Canada’s second session (July 20-Aug. 13) will have the option of choosing Machane Techny, a STEAM program that will include robotics, environmental sciences and programming, while incorporating Judaic elements and focusing on Israel.

Ramah in the NewsNancy ScheffNovember 28, 2019Canada

Five New Leaders, One Great Summer

Strong leadership is perhaps Ramah’s greatest asset. Ramah camps and Ramah Israel continue to attract outstanding professional leaders, and summer 2019 was no exception, as we welcomed five new senior year-round professionals into our camping movement.

AnnouncementsNRC WebmasterSeptember 3, 2019National Ramah, RSA, Canada, Summer 2019, Berkshires, Seminar